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New-look Essential emerges after Canada MBO

Toronto-based 11 Television Canada has rebranded under a new CEO after a management buy-out.

The firm will now be known as Essential Media Canada, with executive producer Jonathan Dueck (pictured, left) installed as CEO and Joey Case (right) named executive producer and creative director.

This comes after Dueck and Case bought former CEO Michael McMahon out of the business. He continues to run another Toronto-based producer, Primitive Entertainment.

Primtive last year bought into Essential 11, which was a joint venture between 11 Television Canada and Essential, as part of a joint push into factual entertainment programming.

Essential Media Canada is part of Australia-based Essential Media Group, an association of production companies that also comprises Syndey’s Essential Media & Entertainment and LA’s Essential Media USA.

Essential Media & Entertainment and Essential USA president Jesse Fawcett are now shareholders of Essential Canada, along with Dueck and Case, after the MBO.

Dueck and Case are best known as the production tea begind docu-comedy hybrid Fool’s Gold, which was for Discovery Networks Canada and Europe. Dueck also co-created truTV’s Panic Button, while Case has worked on most of Essential’s recent programming and outside the firm on show such as high Tech Rednecks for Discovery.

Meanwhile, RTR Media development producer Paul Taylor has joined Essential Canada as head of development. His credits include Open House Overhaul for HGTV, and also worked at 11 Television Canada in development.

“There has never been a better time to produce content across all platforms and we have a team in place that can compete with anybody in the world in creating and producing innovative and dynamic entertainment,” said Dueck. “I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to forge a new path with Essential Media Canada.”

Chris Hilton remains CEO of both the Essential Media Group and Essential Media & Entertainment, based out of Sydney.

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